Anstoß – Stiftung für soziale Projekte und Initiativen in Stadt und<br>Landkreis Gießen

The Anstoß Foundation was established in 1997 by the political scientist Prof. Dr. Heinz Josef Varain from Gießen and his wife. It is a legally capable foundation under civil law, headquartered in Gießen with its office in Wettenberg. Its objective is to invest the entire proceeds from the foundation’s capital into local social projects. The foundation primarily promotes social participation and quality of life for socially disadvantaged individuals – especially children, adolescents, migrants, and refugees – in the city and district of Gießen. Additional funding priorities include equality for girls and women, tolerance between cultures, and, in exceptional cases, aid abroad. All decisions are made on a voluntary basis by the board, advisory council, and grant committee.

The Anstoß Foundation is committed to using the returns from its capital specifically for social projects and initiatives in the Gießen area to improve the quality of life for people in difficult life situations. It supports child and youth welfare, equality for girls and women, as well as life opportunities for displaced persons and refugees. Through financial support, advice, and the promotion of scientific monitoring, the foundation aims to provide sustainable impulses for social justice, integration, and tolerance between cultures.

The funding programs of the Anstoß Foundation are aimed at people in need of assistance in accordance with § 53 of the Fiscal Code (physically, mentally, emotionally), children and adolescents requiring support within the meaning of youth welfare services, girls and women in emergency and violence situations or for the promotion of equality, displaced and refugee persons, projects promoting cultural tolerance and international understanding, as well as initiatives from the city and district of Gießen and, in special cases, also aid projects abroad.